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Emergency Medical Technician

Job Skills Certificate

The Emergency Medical Technician job skills certificate complies with state requirements and ensures that the student has met the local EMS (Kern County authority) approval for county protocol training. The Emergency Medical Technician-1 (EMT-1) course consists of 162 hours, which includes 24 hours of emergency room/fire engine ride-along experience. The course prepares the student to perform basic emergency care as part of a mobile emergency team. It also provides the student with an understanding of the skills and assessment techniques needed to care for an ill or injured person in the prehospital setting. Upon successful completion of the course, students are eligible to take an examination for certification as an Emergency Medical Technician 1. The course is required for ambulance personnel, and many other first care providers. Students may later choose to become paramedics.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, the student will:

demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate the clinical information relative to his/her role as an entry level EMT-1.

demonstrate technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill the role of the entry level EMT-1.

demonstrate personal behaviors consistent with professional and employer expectations for the entry level EMT-1.

Pre-admission Requirements:

Each student must possess a current American Heart Association BLS -Healthcare Provider card. (Bakersfield College offers a BLS course (MEDS B52).

Each student must be at least 18 years of age by the completion date of the course.

Mandatory physical examination/immunizations and fit testing must be completed 4 weeks after start of the course. Costs of meeting health requirements are paid by the student. Failure to meet these requirements will result in student ineligibility for clinical rotations.

Conditional Enrollment:

As a condition of enrollment in any Nursing/Allied Health Program, students are required to submit to and pass a designated drug and alcohol screening, a background screening, and physical examination clearance (at the student’s expense). Please note the following:

A history of felony conviction(s) or any bar, exclusion or other ineligibility for federal program participation could render student ineligible for clinical placement, as determined by the clinical agencies.

If a student cannot obtain background clearance from the clinical agencies, it will not be possible to place the student in the clinical areas, which is a required component of the program. In the event that a student cannot obtain a background clearance, the space will be forfeited. Students who are found to be ineligible for clinical placement by the clinical agency after admission to the program shall be subject to dismissal from the program, as they will be unable to complete mandatory clinical rotations.

A physical examination completed by a physician of the student’s choice is required after acceptance to the Program to demonstrate that a student meets the technical standards necessary to meet the Program objectives. Appropriate immunizations and/or vaccinations and mask fit testing are also required and are performed at the student’s expense.

Accreditation and Program Approval

Bakersfield College is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The Emergency Medical Technician Program is approved by Kern County Emergency Medical Services and meets all state and county requirements.

Licensure/Certification Eligibility

Students with a misdemeanor and/or felony arrest conviction, either current or prior, may not receive certification or licensure from the State or County. Also, proof of citizenship (social security card and certified birth certificate) and fingerprinting are required by state certification/licensure agencies. Anyone who wishes clarification may contact the Kern County Emergency Medical Services Office at 661/868-5200.

To Transfer Coursework

A minimum of 8.0 semester units in the major with a grade of ‘C’ or better while maintaining a minimum grade point average of at least 2.0 in all California State University transferable coursework.

Career Opportunities:

EMT-1s are employed by fire departments, hospitals, and a variety of healthcare settings statewide. On average EMT’s annual average salary is $27,000.